Automatic rim loader



8 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 11, 1962 F. P. SHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER Filed Dec, 27, 1957 Dec. 11, 1962 F. P. SHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1957 Dec. 11, 1962 F. P. sHARPE AUTOMATIC Rm LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Deo. 27, 1957 INVENTOR. J6 JJ' FEER/CK l". @HRP' BY MMO/MVM? Dec. 11, 1962 F. P. sHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. 27, 1957 1 Il l I INVEN TOR.

FRfDf/Q/(A l? @HARPE Dec. 11, 1962 F. P. sHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER Filed Dec. 27, 1957 Dec. l1, 1962 F. P. SHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER Filed Deo. 27, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 ,l lf l INVENTOR.

VON/FJH.

NON l Saa 5 Dec. l1, 1962 F. P. sHARPE 3,067,708

AUTOMATIC RIM LOADER Filed Deo. 27, 1957 8 sheets-sheet 8 ]r: L E

INVENTOR.

/cffF/C/f R SHRR/cf' United States Patent Oiice 3,067,708 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 35067,'7 08 AUTOMATIC `RIM 'LOADER FrederickP. Sharpe, Dearborn, Mich., assignor totKelsey- .fHayes Company, DetroinMich., a'corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 27, 1957, Ser. No. 705,696 17 Claims. (Cl. 113-33) VThis invention relates to rim' 'fashioning mechanism and refers more particularly to apparatus for 'loading rim blanks onla rim fashioning machine.

rPhe invention Vhas for one of its objects to provide a rim loader for .a rim fashioning machine, particularly la rim expanding machine, which is operated 'automatically in timed `relation `to the operation of the machine to reduce manual handling of the rimblanks to a minimum.

The invention has for another object to provide 'a rim loader having means `for 'advancing the rims along a guide 'toward the machine in succession and step by step.

The invention has for a further object to provide a rim loader having reciprocable mechanism operated vby the rim fashioning machine for advancing y,the rims in succession along a guide toward the machine, and also having mechanism operated in timed relation to the rim fashioning machine and to the reciprocable mechanism -for transferring rim blanks from the discharge end of the guide to the rim fashioning mechanism.

Other objects and features yofthe invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in -coniunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating .a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation showing la rim 'expanding machine in dotted lines Aand a portion of ,a rim loader, constructed in accordance with lthe invention.

FIG. 1A is similar :to FIG. -'1 and shows the rest of the rim loader inside elevation.

FIG. 2 Ais .a rear elevation of 7the rim loader.

FIG. 3 Ais a fragmentary front elevation of the vrim loader.

FIG. 4 is a section `taken on -tfhe line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a section taken onthe line 5 5 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. .6 is aview looking -in the direction ofthe arrow l6 in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 is a section through the chute, taken on the line 7 7 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 8 is a section taken on -the line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 9 9 `of FIG. 1A with the cylinder removed.

FIG. l-.O -is a pla-n view of the rear end of the rim loader.

FIG. ll is a section taken on line i11 11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. l2 vis a section taken on line 12 12 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a-section taken on line `13 13 of FIG. l2,

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line l14-14 of FIG. l.

FIG. l15 is an enlarged fragmentary View, partly in section showing one of the dogs.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view showing the means for actuating the rim expanding machine.

FIGS. 17 and k18 arewiring diagrams.

The rim expanding machine is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a lixed lower die 11 and an upper die 12 carried by a vertically reciproable .ram 13. The upper die is located directly above the lower die and is movable by the ram away from the lower die to permit a rim blank R to be inserted between the dies and placed over the lower die, and movable toward the lower die to cooperate with the latter in expanding portions ofthe rim blank. A pair of parallel, longitudinally extending, laterally spaced bars 14, only one of which is shown in FIG. l, are located between the dies and are adapted to extend within the drop center portion of'a rim blank on opposite sides thereof` to support the lrim'blank between the dies. The'bars 14 Aare supported von the piston rods 15 which are secured `at their lower ends to pistons. (not shown) respectively within cylinders 17. The pistons are urged upwardly by air under pressure admitted to the cylinders .beneath the pistons. During ydownward movement-oi Vthe ram 13, the abutments 18 carried by the ram Aengage the bars l14 pr-ior to engagement of the upper vdie with the vrim blank `so that the bars 14 and hence the rim blank supported thereby are lowered ahead ofthe upper die and located Aon the lower die for expansion by the joint 'action of the'dies. Upon upward movement of the upper dieffollowing 'an'expanding operatlon, the -rim blank is picked up by the bars 1'4 and elevated to its initial position by the air under pressure in Ithe cylinders `17.

The rim blanks are fed to the expanding machine in succession and intermittently or in step-'by-:step 'fashion Aby the rim loading device indicated generally by Vthe numeral 20. The ldevice 20 comprises a frame structure 2l which supports a generally upwardly inclined guide VZ2 which terminates at its upper end `adjacent to the expanding machine "10. The guide comprises a pair `of laterally spaced tracks 23 which are parallel to each other throughout ltheir full extent. Each track 23 lcomprises zan angle member 24 having a Vertical ilange 25 and a ilange 26 which extends at 4right 'angles to the vertical frange and inwardly ltoward the rother angle member of the guide. An l'elongated plate 27 is welded tothe upper lside of each inwardly extending Viiange 26 and serves to support one side of the rim blanks moving along vthe guide. yStops 27 are provided along the plates 27 in laterally spaced pairs. The longitudinal spacing between the stops -is somewhat greater than Athe diameter of the rim blanks, and they are shaped at their forward, inner yedges to conform with the shape of the rim blank and to `prevent rearward movement thereof. The tops of the stops are `bevelled so that lthe rim blanks kcan be advanced over and past them. As shown, these stops are secured :tothe .plates by bolts extending through slots lin the plates to permit longitudinal adjust-ment. i

The rim blanks are advanced in an upward vdirection along the guide in succession and in step-by-step fashion bythe advancing mechanism 28. The advancing mechanism 28 comprises .a pair vof endless chains 29 of the pivoted lin'k type. The chains Z9 are disposed in parallel vertical planes and the forward ends of the chains extend around the laterally spaced sprocket elements 30 and 31 of the dual sprocket 32 which is supported'for rotation :on .the transverse horizontal shaft 33 carried by the frame y21-ofthe rirn loader. The rear ends of the chains extend Aaround l.the sprocket elements 34 and 35 of the dual sprocket 36 which is mounted for rotation on the trans verse horizontal shaft 37 also carried by the rim loader frame. Intermediate dual sprockets 38 and v39 engage intermediate portions of the chains to guide the latter and are journaled for rotation on the transverse horizontal shafts 40 and 41 respectively carried by the frame.

The chains 29 cooperate in supporting three advancing dogs 42, 43 and 44, Dog 42 is shown enlarged in FIG. l5. The dogs are shown in their retracted positions in dotted lines, as well as in advanced position (see FIGS. 1 and 1A). The, dogs have noses 45 engageable within the lrim blanks to intermittently advance the latter along the guide upon counterclockwise movement of the chains.

'The dogs are respectively pivoted to the chains by pins posite ends and provide a stop for the dogs engageable with the abutments 48 thereof to limit and prevent further clockwise rotation of the dogs about the axis of their supporting pivot pins. Pins 49 extend between the chains and are secured thereto at their opposite ends in advance of the respective pivot pins 46 and serve to limit and prevent further counterclockwise rotation of the dogs about the axes of their pivot pins.

Aguide 50 (FIG. 5) is rigidly carried by the frame 21 and comprises a pair of laterally spaced bars 51 which define an elongated guide slot 52 for guiding the dogs during their reciprocatory movement. The bars 51 are respectively welded or otherwise permanently secured to the mounting brackets 53. Each mounting bracket 53 has a central slot 54 at the top for clearing the dogs and is formed with laterally spaced vertically extending mounting slots 55 which extend upwardly from the bottom and are adapted to receive the shanks of the mounting bolts 56. The lengths of the slots 55 permit the mounting brackets and hence the guide bars 51 to be mounted on the frame in selected positions of adjustment. The brackets have the bosses 58 permanently secured thereto which are formed with vertically extending threaded openings. There are two bosses for each bracket which are adapted to receive the threaded adjusting pins 60 to enable a iine vertical adjustment of the guide 50 be- Vfore the brackets are clamped to a frame member 61 of the rim loader frame by the bolts S6.

Each transverseangle frame member 61 extends horizontally from side to side of the frame and has a boss 62 secured to the under side midway between its ends and formed with a vertically extending threaded opening registering with an opening in the horizontal flange of the frame member. An abutment screw 63 is threaded into the boss 62. Each screw has an enlarged head which is engageable with the forward projection 66 on the associated dog 42 or 43 during clockwise movement of the advancing chain device 28 to swing the dog to the operative or upright position illustrated in the drawings. Y

A vertically extending actuating bar 70 (FIGS. l, 3 an 4) is secured at its upper end to the ram 13 and has secured to it the angle shaped ribs 71 which slideably engage the angle shaped rib guides 72 xedly secured to the front end of the frame. The guide ribs 72 guide the member 70 through its vertical reciprocation. An upper yoke-shaped anchor 74 is provided with the integral legs 75 which are bolted to the attachment plate 76 carried by the actuating bar 70. Pins 77 extend across the legs-of the yoke and are secured thereto, and the upper ends of the vertically extending laterally spaced chains 78 are secured to the pins 77. A similar yoke 74 is located beneath the upper yoke and is also provided with the legs 75 bolted to another attachment block 76 carried by the actuating bar 70 at its lower end. The pins 77 extending between and secured to the legs of the yoke have secured thereto the lower ends of the link chains 78. The link chains 78 are drawn taut by the anchors 74 and are .spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between the sprocket members 80 and 81 of the dual Sprocket 82 which is secured to the shaft 33. The chains 78 are respectively engageable with the teeth of the sprocket members of dual sprocket 82 to oscillate the sprocket by vertical reciprocation of the chains. Since the dual sprockets 32 and 82 are both keyed to the shaft 33, the reciprocation of the actuating bar 70 is elective to oscillate the advancing device 28 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. n .v

A carrier 90 (FIGS. 3, l2 and `13) ismounted on the rim loader frame adjacent its forwardend for reciprocacentral bores in the bosses are lined with sleeves 93', the central passage through the sleeves of each pair being aligned with each other longitudinally of the rim loader. The carrier is slidably supported on the pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending rods 94 which respectively extend through the bores of the sleeves of each pair. The rods 94 are secured to a transverse frame member 95 of the rim loader frame 21 at their forward ends and the rear ends of the rods are secured to the arms 96 of the support 97 also mounted on the rim loader frame.

The adjacent upright anges of the angle members 92 are connected by a block 98 which has a threaded bore, the axis of which extends longitudinally of the rim loader. A piston rod 100 is threadedly connected to the block 98, and extends longitudinally of the -rim loader into a cylinder 101 in which it is connected to a piston 102 that slides axially within the cylinder. The fron-t end of the cylinder is supported by the support 97 and the rear end of the cylinder is carried by a support 103 mounted on the `frame 21. A pair of laterally spaced mounting blocks 104 are secured to and ydepend from the base plate 91 of the carrier and are formed with the 'transversely aligned openings 105. A pusher 107 is carried by the carrier and is in the form ofy an elongated bar having a tongue 108'secured to the upper side which yis adapted to extend between the mounting blocks 104. The tongue has an opening which is adapted to register with the aligned openings =so that a pivot pin 106 may be passed through the aligned openings to pivotally mount the pusher, for vertical swinging movement about the horizontal axis of the pin.

The pusher is proportioned so that it tends to swing from the position illustrated counterclockwise and this tendency is opposed by the stop screw 110 which is threaded into a boss 111 on fthe rear end of the pusher. The nut 112 is provided to retain the stop screw in adjusted position. The stop -screw is engageable With the under side of the Ycarrier base plate.

At its front end, the pusher is bifurcated and has a dog 112 extending between the furcations or legs 113 for eng-agement with an edge of a rim blank R. The dog '112 is pivoted lin a recess of a block 113 welded to the pusher by the transverse pivot pin 114 and lthe dog is proportioned to swing ounterclockwise against the shoulder at the bottom of the recess between the legs of the pusher bar. The dog is free rto swing in a clockwise direction away from this shoulder. The recess in block 113 is open at the front and the bottom of this recess is flush with the shoulder `at the bottom of the recess in the -pusher bar.

The rim blanks `are delivered to the rim loader by a downwardly inclined chu-te (FIGS. 1A, 2, 7 and 10), the width of which is only slightly greater than the axial length of a rim .blank so that the ruim blanks may roll on 'their peripheries along the chute, being guided by the side walls of the chute. The lower end of the chute extends beside the lower end of the -rim loader guide 22 and one side wall of the chute is cut away :at 121 to enable the lowermost rim blank in the chute to topple from the chute onto the guide 22. It will be noted further that the bottom wall of the chute lat the lower end thereof is out away at 123 so that the rim blank at the bottom of the chute will be unsupported along its edge adjacent to the rim guide and will tumble by reason of its own weight from the chute onto the guide 22. A bridge-like plate 122 extends between the chute :and the guide and has a `lip 124 which acts as :a stop :or trip so that the rim blank will tip over (see FIG. l1). A back stop plate 125 is provided at the rear end of the guide.

vThe `angle member 25Y ofthe rim guide 22 which is adjacent -to the chute has its vertical ange cut away and ared as indicated at 126 (FIGS. 2 and 6) and the lower ends of the angle members 25 support a plate 127 which is adapted to receive the rim blank as it tumbles from.

, the chute. The front edge of the plate 127 is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 128 to clear the rearmost dog on the advancing chain device.

The chute is formed with .a slot 130` in its bottom wall which extends transversely of the chute and slidably receives a vertically extending gate 131 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 10). In its upper position, the gate 131 acts as a stop preventing downward movement lof the series of rim blanks in the chute. When the gate is lowered to a position approximating the level of the bottom wall of the chute, the lowermost rim blank is Iallowed to pass to the lower end of the chute which is closed by a transverse wall. The gate is controlled by a double acting piston-cylinder Iassembly 133 which comprises a cylinder 134 having a piston (not shown) reciprocable therein. A hook-shaped lever 136 has one end bifurcated (FIG. 7) and pivoted to the rod 137 which extends from the piston, and the opposite end is formed with an elongated slot loosely receiving a pin 139 carried by the spaced integral legs 139 on the lower edge of the gate. Lever 136 extends between these legs. The gate is guided for vertical reciprocation by the guide bloclcs 140 depending from the bottom wall of the chute and secured thereto by elements 138. Lever 136 is pivoted intermediate its ends to brackets 141 depending from the bottom wall of the chute by a pivot pin 142 extending between the brackets. The front end -of the cylinder 134 is pvoted to the chu-te for vertical swinging.

The chute is 'supported on the frame 21 of the rim loader by the adjustable supports 143.

The ram 13 for the upper die is raised and lowered by a piston-cylinder assembly 150 (FIG. 16) which includes a cylinder 151 having a piston 152 vertically reciprooable therein and from which extends a piston rod 153 connected to the ram. The assembly 150 is double acting and the fluid pressure lines 154 and 155 extending from opposite ends of the cylinder are `alternately connected to a source of iluid under pressure 156 and the reservoir 157 by a four-way two-position valve 158. The valve is normally spring urged to a position connecting the lower end of fthe cylinder to fluid under pressure and exhausting the upper end to raise the ram, and is reversed to lower the ram by the solenoid l159 when energized.

A limit switch 160 (FIG. 10) is carried by the chute in a position to be engaged by a rim blank engaging the gate. When this 4switch is thus closed, the cycle of operation begins.

Referring to FIGURES l, 1A and 14, a brake 200 is provided. This brake is in the form of a generally vertical plate having arms 201 secured thereto and hinged at 199 to the frame 21 for lateral swinging about an axis extending longitudinally of the frame. A pair of pins 202 are secured to the brake in laterally spaced relation and extend through vertically elongated holes 203 in bars 204 carried by frame 21. A nut 205 is threaded on the outer end of each pin and is engageable with the associated bar 204. This limits the inward movement of the brake. A coil spring 206 encircles each pin between the bar and the brake and urges the latter inwardly to a position limited by engagement of the nuts 205 with bars 204, in which the distance between the brake and the vertical flange of the angle member at the opposite side of the guide is less than the diameter of a rim blank. The rear edge 210 of the brake 4is dared laterally outwardly to accommodate an advancing rim blank, and the rim blank is then pressed by the brake against the lefthand angle member 25 as viewed in FIG. 14.

In operation, closing of limit switch 160 by a rim blank in the chute energizes relay R, assuming that the ram is in its uppermost position in which it engages and closes limit switch 162. The energization of relay R closes the normally open contact r-1 of the relay to hold the circuit closed. The relay has a second contact r-Z which closes when the relay is energized to energize solenoid 159 and shift the valve 15.3 from its normal position to lower the valve to lower the gate.

the ram and cause the upper and lower dies of the expander to fashion and expand a rim blank in register with the dies. The actuating bar 70 moves downwardly as a unit with the ram and the chains 78 carried by the actuating bar rotate the dual sprocket 82 and` hence the dual sprocket 32 to move the rim blank advancing chain device 28 inI a counterclockwise direction to advance the rim blanks carried by the guide one step or one posi tion. After a predetermined period of time determined by the timer 170, the circuit to relay R is opened, deenergizing solenoid 159y and raising the ram 13. The advancing chain device 28 is then `moved clockwise to its original position and the dogs will pivot counterclockwise to clear the lower edges of the rim blanks during this movement. The pins 49 connecting the chains of the device 2S will limit the counterclockwise pivoting of the dogs. The dogs 42 and 43 are turned upright toward the end of the return movement of the device 2S by engagement of the projections 66 with the abutment stops 63. The force of gravity is suicient to turn the rearmost dog 44 to its upright position as the device 28 approaches the limit of its return stroke.

As the ram nears its upper limiting position the actuator carried by the ram engages and momentarily closes the limit switches 176 and 177. As a result of the momentary closing of switch 176, relay R-2 is ener gized and a holding circuit is established across switch 176 by the contact r-3 of the relay R2. Relay R-2 also has a contact r-4 which closes when the relay R-2 is energized to energize solenoid 180 (FIG. l0). The 4-way 2-position valve 181 normally admits uid under pressure to the front end of cylinder 134 through line 182 and exhausts the rear end through line 183 to raise gate 131. However, energization of solenoid 180 reverses When the piston of cylinder 134 reaches the end of its rearward stroke, it engages a normally closed limit switch 185, de-energizing relay R42 and thereby again raising the gate. The gate stays down long enough to pass a rim blank in the chute, which thereupon tips over onto the lower end of the guide 2,2.

At the same time that relay R-2 is energized, relay R-3 is energized by the momentary closing of switch 177 This relay has a contact r-6 which closes to establish a holding circuit across switch 177, and has a second contact r-7 which closes when the relay is energized to energize solenoid (FIG. 1A). The 4-way 2-position valve 191 normally admits fluid under pressure to the front end of cylinder 101 through line 192 and exhausts the rear and through line 193 to retract carrier 90. However, energization of solenoid 190 reverses the valve to advance the carrier toward the expanding machine and to move a rim blank at the top of the guide into register with the dies thereof. (FIG. l.) When the piston 102 reaches the limit of its forward stroke, it engages a normally closed limit switch 194, deenergizing relay R-3 and retracting the piston and carrier 90. Dog 112 cams over the rim blank on retraction of the carrier.

There is a limit switch 1918 in circuit with relay R which must be closed to start the ram 13 down. This limit switch is closed by carrier 90 in its fully retracted position. Hence, the cycle cannot repeat until the carrier 90 is retracted, the ram is all the way up `and a rim blank in the chute rests against gate 131 in vposition to close switch 162.

The carrier 90 starts forward and gate 131 starts down before the ram reaches its upper limit where it engages limit switch 162, and during the clockwise or return movement of the advancing device 28. Hence, before limit switch 162 is closed by the ram, the carrier has moved away from its retracted position, opening switch 190, and the gate has released the next rim blank to open switch 160. Shortly thereafter, switch 162 is closed by the ram, but a new cycle cannot begin until the carrier has returned to close switch 19S and another rim blank in the chute moves into position behind gate 131 to close switch 160.

What I claim as my invention is:

=1. In combination, a rim expanding machine including a reciprocal ram and cooperable dies relatively movable away Afrom each other to receive a rim blank therebetween and toward each other to expand a portion of the rim blank between said dies, an elevator for delivering rim bl-anks to said machine including-an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent to said dies, a member movable upwardly and downwardly longitudinally of said guide, means operated by said ram during movement thereof to cause one of said dies to move toward the -other of said dies for moving said member upwardly and during movement of said ram to cause said one die to move away from said other die for moving said member downwardly, dogs spaced l-ongitudinally of and mounted on said member, said dogs being successively engageable with the rim blanks to raise them upon upward movement of said member, means for supporting said rim blanks on said guide during downward 'movement of said member, and means responsive to movement of said ram to cause relative movement of said dies away 4from each other for moving a rim blank from the upper end of said guide to a position between said dies.

2. In combination, a rim expanding machine including a reciprocal ram and cooperable dies relatively movable away `from each other to receive a rim blank therebetween and toward each other t-o expand a portion of the rim 4blank between said dies, an elevator for delivering rim blanks to said machine including an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent to said dies, a member movable upwardly and downwardly longitudinally of said guide, means operated by said ram during movement thereof to cause one of said dies to move toward the other of said dies -for moving said member upwardly and during movement of said ram to cause said one die to move away from said other die for moving said member downwardly, dogs spaced longitudinally of and mounted on said member, said dogs being successively engageable with the rim blanks to raise them upon upward movement of said member, means for supporting said rim blanks on said guide during downward movement of said member, and means responsive to movement of said ram to cause relative movement of said dies away from each other for moving a rim blank from the upper end of said guide to a position between said dies, said last-mentioned means comprising a reciprocable member having a dog engageable with a rim blank upon movement of said reciprocable member in one direction to discharge the rim blank, said last-mentioned dog being pivote-d on said reciprocable member to cam past a rim blankV upon movement of said reciprocable mem-ber in the opposite direction.

3. An automatic rim loading machine operable to vertically move and intermittently place rim blanks between a pair of cooperable dies of a rim expanding m-achine, the rim expanding machine including a reciprocating ram to which one of the dies is attached, comprising a vertically extending elevator having one end thereof positioned adjacent to the dies and adapted to individually support spaced rim blanks thereon for intermittent movement -therealong, said elevator including reciprocal means operable in response to movement of said ram to move the one die toward the other to separately advance said rim blanks a predetermined distance along said elevator towa-rd said one end and for separately supporting said rim blanks in the advanced position thereof, and means operably associated with said elevator responsive to movement of the ram to cause movement of the one die in a direction away from the other for moving a single rim blank from the upper end of said elevator to a. position between said dies.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said .elevator includes a vertically extending guide, a member movable upwardly and downwardly longitudinally of said guide in response to movement of said ram, dogs spaced longitudinally of and mounted on said member, said dogs being successively engageable with the rim blanks to raise them upon upward movement of said member, said dogs being pivoted to said member to cam past a rim Ablank on downward'movement of said member.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein the last mentioned means includes a reciprocable member having a dog engageable with a rim blank upon movement of said reciprocable member in one direction to discharge the rim blank `from the guide, said last mentioned dog being pivoted on said reciprocable member to cam past a rim blank upon movement of said reciprocable member in the opposite direction.

6. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashioning a portion of an article including a reciprocal ram, mechanism for delivering individual articles vertically to said machine including a guide located adjacent said machine, reciprocal means for advancing articles separately along sai-d guide toward one end of said guide, means for separately supporting said articles in the advanced position thereof, and means responsive to reciprocation of said ram for transferring the articles individually from said one end of said guide to said machine.

7. In combination, a rim expanding machine including a reciprocal ram and cooperable relatively movable dies for operating on a portion of a rim blank, an elevator for Vdelivering individual rim blanks vertically in succession to said machine including an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent said dies, reciprocal means for advancing rim blanks separately along said guide toward said upper end thereof, separate means for separately supporting said rim blanks on said guide in each -advanced position thereof, and means responsive to reciprocation of said ram for moving the rim blanks individually from said upper end of said guide to a position in operative relation to said dies.

8. In combination, a rim expanding machine including a reciprocal ram 4and cooperable dies relatively movable away from each other to receive a rim blank therebetween and toward each other to expand a portion of the rim Iblank between said dies, an elevator for delivering rindividual rim blanks to said machine including an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent to said dies, reciprocal means for advancing rim blanks separately along said guide in succession toward fthe upper end thereof, separate means for `separately supporting said rim blanks on said guide in each advanced 'position thereof, and means responsive -to movement of 'said ram to cause relative movement of said dies away from each other for moving a single rim blank from the upper end of said guide to a position between said dies.

9. In combination, `a rim expanding machine including ya reciprocal ram and cooperable dies relatively movable away from each other to receive a rim blank therebetween and toward each other to expand a portion of the rim blank between said dies, an elevator for delivering individual rim lblanks -to said machine including an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent to said dies, reciprocal means responsive to movement of said ram to cause relative movement of said dies toward each other for advancing rim blanks separately along said guide toward the upper end thereof, separate means for separately supporting said rim blanks on said guide in each advanced position thereof, and means responsive to movement of said ram to cause relative movement of said dies away from each other for moving a single rim blank from -the upper end of said guide to a position between said dies.

l0. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashioning a portion of an article including a reciprocal ram, mechanism for delivering individual articles -to said machine including a vertically extending inclined guide located adjacent said machine, reciprocal means for advancing articles separately along said inclined guide toward the upper end thereof, separate means for separately supporting said articles in each advanced position thereof, and means responsive to reciprocation of said ram for transferring the articles individually from said upper end of said guide to said machine.

1l. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fa-shioning a portion of an article, mechanism for delivering individual articles to said machine including a vertically extending inclined guide located adjacent said machine, reciprocal means for advancing articles separately along said inclined guide toward the upper end thereof, separate means for separately supporting said articles in each advanced position thereof, and means for transferring `the articles individually from said upper end of said guide to said machine.

12. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashioning a portion of an article, mechanism for delivering articles to said machine including a guide located adjacent said machine. reciprocal means for intermittently advancing articles along said guide toward one end of said guide between spaced apart intermediate positions, separate means for supporting said articles in each intermediate advanced position, and means for transferring the articles from said one end of said guide to said machine.

13. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashioning a portion of an article, mechanism for delivering individual articles to said machine including a guide located adjacent said machine, reciprocal means for intermittently advancing articles separately along said guide toward one end of said guide between spaced apart intermediate positions, separate means for separately supporting said articles in each intermediate advanced position, and means for transferring the articles individually from said one end of said guide to said machine.

14. In combination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashio-ning a portion of an article, mechanism for delivering individual articles to said machine including a vertically extending inclined guide located adjacent said machine, reciprocal means for intermittently `advancing articles separately along said inclined guide toward one end of said guide between spaced apart intermediate positions, separate means for separately supporting said articles in each intermediate advanced position, and means for transferring the articles individually from said one end of said guide -to said machine.

15. In co-mbination, an article fashioning machine having means for fashioning a portion of an article including a reciprocal ram, mechanism for delivering individual articles to said machine including a vertically extending inclined guide located adjacent lsaid machine, reciprocal means for intermittently advancing articles separately along said inclined guide toward one end of said guide between spaced apart intermediate positions, separate means for separately supporting said articles in each intermediate advanced position, and means responsive to recipiacation of said ram for transferring the articles individually from said one end of said guide to said machine.

16. An elevator for rim blanks comprising an upwardly extending guide, a linear member movable upwardly and downwardly longitudinally of said guide, means for moving said member upwardly and downwardly, dogs spaced longitudinally of and mounted on said linear member, said dogs being successively engageable with the rim blanks to raise the latter upon upward movement of said linear member, means for supporting the rim blanks on said guide during downward movement of said linear member, and pusher means positioned adjacent said guide operably associated with said member and guide for discharging rim blanks from the upper end of said guide, comprising a reciprocal member having a dog engageable with a rim blank upon movement of said reciprocal member in one direction to discharge the rim blank, the last mentioned dog being pivoted on said reciprocal member to cam past a rim blank upon movement of said reciprocal member in the opposite direction, and means for synchronizing the movement of said linear member and pusher means to discharge said rim blanks from the upper end of said guide only during downward movement of said linear member.

17. In combination, a rim expanding machine including a reciprocal ram and cooperable dies relatively movable away from each other to receive a rim blank therebetween and toward each other to expand a portion of the rim blank between said dies, an elevator for delivering rim blanks to said machine including an upwardly extending guide having its upper end positioned adjacent to said dies, a member movable upwardly and downwardly longitudinally of said guide, means operated by said ram during movement thereof to cause one of said dies to move toward the other of said dies for moving said member upwardly and during movement of said ram to cause said one die to move away from said other die for moving said member downwardly, dogs spaced longitudinally of and mounted on said member, said dogs being successively engageable with the rim blanks to raise .them upon upward movement of said member, and means for supporting said rim blanks on said guide during downward movement of said member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,162,301 Moi-fet Nov. 30, 1915 1,553,779 Kaiser Sept. 15, 1925 1,626,977 Sibley May 3, 1927 1,939,577 Sneed Dec. 12, 1933 1,965,351 Munroe July 3, 1934 2,283,505 Longeld May 19, 1942 2,325,889 Thompson et al. Aug. 3, 1943 2,587,690 Breveton Mar. 4, 1952 2,663,275 Collins Dec. 22, 1953 2,665,654 Lyon Jan. 12, 1954 2,802,439 Kay Aug. 13, 1957 2,917,100 Sharpe Dec. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 194,172 Germany Jan. 11, 1908 

